REV makes the best of tournament circuit

REDLANDS - The tournament season has been good to Redlands East Valley.

REV's girls water polo team didn't win every time it leaped into the pool but the tournament appearances were more about polishing their skills against quality opposition.

On Friday and Saturday REV did just that when it faced several CIF-Southern Section ranked teams at the Bonita Tournament.

The Wildcats registered a win over Div. 4 fifth ranked Troy on Friday and on Saturday posted an overtime win over Div. 3 top ranked Los Osos.

Both games will pay off down the road.

"I think the tournaments will really help us going into CIF," REV goalie Alexis Hollinrake said. "I think the tournament play was something we lacked last year. This year it's been a real bonus."

As far as REV coach Troy Delmonico is concerned, the tournament circuit has served its purpose.

"We got what we wanted, it was a job well done," Delmonico said. "Now we can concentrate on finishing league, getting healthy and going to CIF."

Now it's just a matter of time for the Wildcats.

"You can't really tell until we get into CIF," Delmonico said. "But the hope is that the girls are battled tested. We've gone into overtime so many times and won. That shows the girls have no quit in them."

The wins over Troy and Los Osos were significant for REV.

REV won 7-6. Troy eliminated REV from the playoffs three years ago.

"We've been looking forward to that one for three years," Delmonico said. "We were real happy with that one. Our defense stumped them a bit."

The win over Los Osos avenged a 15-7 loss to the Grizzlies on the opening day of the Coronado Tournament last week.

"We just played them and lost by eight goals," Delmonico said. "To come back and gain nine goals on them says something."

Along the way the Wildcats also sustained some tough losses. There was a lopsided loss to Div. 1 top ranked Mater Dei at the Coronado Tournament, an overtime loss to Div. 5 second ranked Riverside Poly at the Five Counties Tournament and Saturday's loss to Div. 1 ninth ranked San Marcos.

"On the team perspective, it builds us as a team," REV's Mikayla Vessey said. "We learn to rally, we learn how to play from behind. We got to play some unbelievable teams and have come a long way this season. It's all been good for us."

REV opened the Bonita Tournament with wins over La Salle and Troy but then ran into San Marcos, which hails from Santa Barbara. REV lost 10-3.